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Future Of Democratic Renewal Depends On Innovation, Partnerships And Youth Leadership | Global Democracy Coalition Africa Regional Forum Communique
April 13, 2025
Willice Onyango
Future Of Democratic Renewal Depends On Innovation, Partnerships And Youth Leadership | Global Democracy Coalition Africa Regional Forum Communique
Willice Onyango
April 13, 2025

Future Of Democratic Renewal Depends On Innovation, Partnerships And Youth Leadership | Global Democracy Coalition Africa Regional Forum Communique

Willice Onyango
April 13, 2025

Forum participants pose for a group photo.

Forum Livestreamed Video

PREAMBLE

The Global Democracy Coalition (GDC) Africa Regional Forum 2025 convened on March 28, 2025, at Daystar University, Nairobi, organized by The Youth Café, in partnership with Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA), Committee Action for Health and Development (CAHED), Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) and Afrobarometer under the theme “Advancing Democratic Resilience at the Intersection of Human Rights and Environmental Justice”.  

The Forum served as an official side event of the 2025 OGP Africa and Middle East Regional Meeting. This conference, hosted by the Government of Kenya from March 25-27, 2025,  brought together more than 500 high-level representatives of government, civil society, private sector, and policy-makers from across the region, as well as global partners, to exchange experiences, best practices, and progress on open government initiatives and implementation on key issues.

The regional meeting focused on “Rebuilding Trust through Open Government”, addressing critical themes including Digital Governance, Anti-Corruption, Access to Justice, Climate Action, Legislative Openness, Fiscal Openness, Access to Information, and Local-National Open Government. The agenda was a dynamic blend of high-level dialogues, interactive workshops, peer exchanges, and networking opportunities featuring key stakeholders from across the region. 


Download Communique

This high-level Forum brought together nearly 1000 participants, 230 participants in person at Daystar University and over 500 participants online, from 14 African countries, representing civil society organizations, policymakers, youth movements, environmental justice advocates, and democracy practitioners. The event served as a critical platform for stakeholders to assess the state of democratic resilience, anti-corruption measures, electoral integrity, and climate governance in the region.

Discussions throughout the forum underscored the pressing need to address corruption as a fundamental barrier to democratic renewal and environmental sustainability. Participants explored the structural governance failures that enable corruption, the barriers that hinder youth participation in democratic processes, and the role of campaign financing in perpetuating political corruption. The deliberations also examined the intersection of environmental governance and democracy, emphasizing the urgent need for equitable climate action and policies that prioritize transparency, public participation, and accountability.

The hybrid format allowed for both in-person and virtual participation, ensuring that voices from across Africa were included in the discourse. The discussions yielded critical insights and commitments aimed at reinforcing democratic governance and promoting sustainable environmental management.

A session moderator in action.

KEY OUTCOMES

Strengthened democratic institutions: There was a renewed commitment from participants to uphold the rule of law, enforce accountability, and ensure free, fair, and credible elections. Forum discussions highlighted the urgent need for institutional reforms that prevent governance capture and promote transparency in decision-making. Strengthening democratic institutions was identified as crucial to ensuring that African democracies remain resilient, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of their citizens, especially in the face of emerging challenges like climate change and digital disruption.

Electoral integrity and anti-corruption measures: Participants agreed on the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to combat illicit campaign financing, vote-buying, and electoral fraud. The empowerment of independent electoral commissions and anti-corruption agencies was emphasized to ensure transparency and credibility in electoral processes. The forum called for robust safeguards to protect elections from external and internal manipulation, ensuring that electoral integrity remains central to the democratic process.

Youth leadership and political inclusion: A strong commitment emerged to increase youth participation in governance through comprehensive civic education, leadership training, and policy advocacy. It was recognized that the future of democratic renewal depends on the active involvement of young people, and institutional support for young leaders is vital. This support would come through funding, mentorship, and dedicated political engagement platforms to equip young leaders with the tools they need to contribute meaningfully to democratic processes and governance structures.

Human rights and civic space protection: The Panelists underscored the importance of strengthening legal frameworks that safeguard fundamental freedoms, press freedom, and civil society organizations. There was a strong call for regional and international solidarity against state crackdowns on democracy advocates and independent media. Ensuring the protection of civic spaces was deemed critical to sustaining democracy and empowering individuals to advocate for their rights without fear of repression.

Environmental governance and climate justice: Participants highlighted the need to prioritize transparency, equity, and public participation in environmental policymaking and climate action. Special emphasis was placed on fair carbon credit redistribution, responsible land use policies, and sustainable urbanization to protect biodiversity. Ensuring that climate justice is integrated into democratic governance frameworks was seen as essential for building resilient and equitable communities that can adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Digital innovation for democracy: The forum recognized the growing role of technology in advancing democracy, particularly in combating misinformation, enhancing political transparency, and amplifying citizen engagement in governance. Participants discussed the importance of investing in cybersecurity measures to protect democratic institutions from digital threats, disinformation, and election manipulation. There was a collective call for governments and civil society to collaborate on developing digital tools that promote democratic participation and safeguard electoral processes.

Grassroots mobilization and indigenous knowledge: The forum emphasized the need for strengthened community-led climate action, afforestation initiatives, and sustainable resource management practices. Recognizing the importance of grassroots engagement, participants called for more inclusive, locally driven climate solutions. There was also a strong acknowledgment of the value of traditional environmental knowledge in fostering climate resilience, with indigenous practices highlighted as essential to ensuring sustainable and culturally appropriate environmental management.

Intergenerational and multi-stakeholder collaboration: Panelists called for the promotion of long-term partnerships between governments, civil society, and marginalized communities to drive inclusive governance reforms. The forum highlighted the importance of establishing regional and global platforms for shared learning, policy exchange, and joint advocacy, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and that collaborative efforts are sustained over time. This approach is essential for addressing both governance and environmental challenges in a holistic and inclusive manner.

A delegation from Nigeria sharing insights.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Declining Trust in Democracy

Across Africa, trust in democratic institutions is waning, with significant declines in public satisfaction. According to Afrobarometer data In Kenya, confidence in the electoral body stands at 36%, while satisfaction with democracy dropped from 50% in 2010 to 39% in 2024. This decline is attributed to poor governance, corruption, and electoral manipulation. Despite these challenges, 66% of Africans still prefer democracy, with strong opposition to authoritarianism and calls for electoral integrity, governance reforms, and increased civic participation, particularly from youth.

Institutional Accountability and Environmental Justice

Impunity remains a key obstacle to good governance and human rights protection. Although legal frameworks are in place, weak enforcement hinders public accountability. Youth and grassroots organizations play a critical role in demanding transparency and driving localized solutions, though they face significant challenges such as limited resources and exclusion from policymaking. Environmental justice, particularly the protection of human rights defenders facing violence and intimidation, requires stronger legal protections and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Strengthening Democratic Institutions

Challenges to democracy include corruption, executive interference, shrinking civic space, and weak civic education. Strategies to strengthen democracy emphasize criminalizing corruption, utilizing technology for transparency, and fostering civic engagement through multi-stakeholder collaborations and digital advocacy. Strengthening democratic institutions requires continued efforts to engage youth, enhance accountability, and improve governance structures.

Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience

The forum highlighted the urgent need for action on climate challenges such as air pollution, desertification, and biodiversity loss. Grassroots and community-led initiatives are central to climate resilience, with successful movements demonstrating the impact of local advocacy. Carbon credit redistribution, localized climate messaging, and intergenerational collaboration are essential for sustainable solutions.

Youth and Civil Society in Democratic Reforms

Youth participation in governance remains limited due to barriers such as voter registration challenges, election injustice, and political intimidation. Strategies to overcome these challenges include civic education, media advocacy, and ensuring structured youth representation in decision-making processes. Youth-led movements must move beyond elections to focus on long-term involvement in electoral monitoring and governance reforms.

Corruption and Governance Challenges

Corruption continues to undermine democracy and economic development in East Africa, with weak enforcement mechanisms and legal loopholes exacerbating the problem. Systemic reforms, ethical leadership, and societal mindset shifts are critical for addressing corruption. Digital platforms are empowering youth to demand accountability, while civic tech tools enhance transparency and facilitate informed decision-making.

The Role of Digital Activism

Digital activism has emerged as a powerful tool for driving governance reforms and policy changes. Social media has successfully pressured leaders to address long-standing issues, mobilized resources for disaster relief, and facilitated public participation in governance. Technology is transforming how citizens engage with democratic processes, making it a vital component of future efforts to promote accountability and justice.

Youth Participation in Politics

Youth participation in politics faces systemic, economic, and social barriers, including exclusion from decision-making, high campaign costs, and cultural discrimination. Proposed solutions include legal reforms, digital activism, and regional collaboration to lower barriers for youth involvement. Political parties must adapt to provide better opportunities for youth leadership, while digital platforms can play a crucial role in fostering political literacy and mobilization.

A Forum panel in session.

Call To Action

Governments

  • Implement and institutionalize policies that strengthen democratic institutions, curb corruption, and protect civic space.

  • Integrate environmental justice into democratic policies to ensure equitable climate action and resource management.

  • Ensure transparency in electoral processes, enforce campaign finance regulations, and eliminate barriers to political participation.

Electoral Bodies

  • Strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent electoral fraud, illicit campaign financing, and vote-buying.

  • Enhance digital security measures to counter electoral manipulation and cyber threats.

  • Promote voter education and civic engagement to increase electoral transparency.

Anti-Corruption Agencies and Judiciary

  • Strengthen enforcement of anti-corruption laws, ensuring accountability for governance violations.

  • Empower judicial bodies to act independently and decisively against corrupt practices in elections and environmental governance.

Civil Society Organizations

  • Mobilize grassroots movements to advocate for governance reforms and civic space protection.

  • Collaborate with policymakers to develop and implement policies that enhance transparency, accountability, and environmental sustainability.

  • Support digital democracy initiatives and campaigns against misinformation.

Youth Leaders and Movements

  • Actively participate in governance and policy discussions, advocating for democratic reforms and environmental justice.

  • Leverage digital platforms to mobilize civic engagement and push for accountability.

  • Demand mentorship, funding, and capacity-building opportunities to strengthen youth-led governance initiatives.

Media and Digital Platforms

  • Ensure responsible reporting on governance, democracy, and climate issues to combat misinformation and propaganda.

  • Promote investigative journalism to expose corruption and electoral malpractice.

  • Enhance digital literacy programs to empower citizens in identifying misinformation.

International Organizations and Development Partners

  • Provide financial and technical support for initiatives that promote democratic resilience, environmental governance, and anti-corruption measures.

  • Strengthen regional and international collaboration to safeguard civic space and human rights.

  • Facilitate knowledge-sharing and best practices in democratic governance and climate justice.

Private Sector and Tech Industry

  • Invest in technologies that enhance political transparency, combat disinformation, and support digital security.

  • Promote corporate accountability in governance and climate-related practices.

  • Partner with civil society to support digital innovations that drive democratic engagement and environmental sustainability.

Local Communities and Indigenous Groups

  • Advocate for the integration of traditional knowledge in climate governance and environmental conservation.

  • Engage in community-led initiatives that promote afforestation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable land use.

  • Actively participate in decision-making processes to ensure policies reflect local needs and priorities.

Tagged: Strengthened democratic institutions, Electoral integrity and anti-corruption measures, Youth leadership and political inclusion, Human rights and civic space protection, Environmental governance and climate justice, Digital innovation for democracy, Grassroots mobilization and indigenous knowledge, Intergenerational and multi-stakeholder collaboration, Declining Trust in Democracy, Institutional Accountability and Environmental Justice, Strengthening Democratic Institutions, Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience, Youth and Civil Society in Democratic Reforms, Corruption and Governance Challenges, The Role of Digital Activism, Youth Participation in Politics, Global Democracy Coalition, Africa Regional Forum 2025, The Youth Café, Somali Media Women Association (SOMWA), Committee Action for Health and Development (CAHED), Citizen Voice and Action (CVA), Afrobarometer, Daystar University, civil society organizations, policymakers, youth movements, environmental justice 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Government, European Partnership for Democracy, Access Now, DDI, RightsCon, Digital Security Helpline, Human Rights Agenda, Digital Resilience, Crisis Response Fund, Digital Defenders Partnership, DDP, Digital Technology, AfricTivistes, Code for Africa, World Scout Bureau Africa Regional Office, Kofi Annan Foundation, Digitise Youth, Fund de Mujeres del Sur, Technology Facilitated Gender-Based Violence, TFGBV, Women Human Rights Defenders, Women Decision Makers, Global Focus, Green Agenda, WITNESS, IWGIA, International Media Support, Mugamba Network, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Indigenous Activists Voices, Countering Climate Disinformation, IPFCA, Indigenous Peoples Forest and Climate Activists, Public Interest Media, Climate Activism, OGP

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